Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1887-07-29
THE ONLY COLORED CADET.
How Young Alexander Was Treated
At West Point.


At West Point.
John Alexander, the colored man who grad.
nated from West Point few days ago, is a
native Of Arkansas but at the time of his ap.
pointment he was In the freshman class OF
Oberlin university near Cleveland, o. He
received his appointment from ex-Congress-
man Geddes as the result Of competitive ex-
animation in which he came out ahead Four
years ago at the age Of 10, he entered West
Point. At that time there was some bitter
ness CT feeling supposed to exist toward col
ored cadets, and It was feared by many Of bis
friends that he would find 1t too much for
hin. He is now in Washington, and to q
Post reporter who called to see him he talked
freely and without bitterness. Replying to a
question as to his treatment he said; 'My
treatment on the whole has been very salts
factory. | went there at time when the
general feeling ran pretty high against coli
ored Cadets and at first was sighted and
snubbed somewhat, but the boys gradually
got out of that and soon was treated well
and courteously. An officer, native OF
Georgia, and one Of my instructors in cavalry
practice, gave me bit of advice when first
went there that proved OF great service to me
during the first few months of my first year.
Upon my arrival he called me aside and said
to me: Young man, all you have to do is to
mind your own business, obey orders, and
avoid abnormal conditions of mind, and you
win get along all right followed his ad-
advice At first many Of the cadets were in
elined TO let me severely alone, speaking only
when necessary. This of course was some
what trying, as we were thrown together so
often and SO init mateiy--as at revellle, meals,
irills, parade, in recitation and on the exer-
Else grounda and If | had spent my four years
here without any intercourse whatever,
doubtless it would have become almost intol-
.rable, | heard it was the cause of one young
,olored fellow from New York throwing up
ais commission, but fortunately avoided all
abnormal conditions of mind | made up
my mind to treat my fellow-cadets In a gen
telmanly wav, and 1t soon had its effect
Gradually received more consideration and
respect The class feeling at West Point is
very strong-stronger than at any other
school in the country guess, and the first OF
graduating class eXerts great influence over
The members of the three lower classes. This
was very fortunate for me, as the class that
graduated the first year came was a remark
ably clever, unpreiudced, and manly one, and
he moral influence of their treatment toward
nc went far to make my subsequent stay free
rom those annoyances that others of my color
lad suffered while theren
What have you to say of the treatment Of
he officers and professors!n
The officers were absolutely impartial as far
rs know; their conduct and bearing toward
me was at oil times in keeping with their posi-
lions. Ny intercourse with them has ALWAYS
been pleasant and friendly. | received no EN-
barrassing reminders of my color and their
influence did much 10 make my stay pleas
anti
did you notice any difference between the
action of the southern and northern cadetsln
''Some, not much. The southern boys, on
whole, were the least sociable, although
1orthern prejudice sometimes showed itself
also. am inclined to think the southern
cadets are more prejudiced against the con
iition than to the color of the negro; and
when the past relations of the two races as
we'll as the present condition of the negro In
.he south is remembered, this feeling is not
20 much to be wondered at. 1t should GER
.ainly be an incentive to our people to i'm
prove their condition, as, in my Judgment,
hat is the surest way of improving their treat
nent On whole, West Point is about like
any other place, perhaps little better than
most places. There is liberality aud there is
prejudice, as one might expect in either New
York or New Orleans. Yes, slept alone, but
had not the slightest objection to that.
They treated me on the whole like man an1
gentleman, and that was all asked"
Young Alexander was one of a class Of i45
who entered West Point four years ago and
ne graduated thirty-second in class of sixty
tour this year ile is a light mulatto with
regular but slightly coarse features lie has
IN open, manly face, Indicative at once of
courage and honesty. He has large well
tormed and, as the phrenologists would say,
lighting head. He is little under the aver
age height being five feet six, well-built,
straight as eun-barrel, and carries himself
sith the bearing of a soldier. In his manners
ie is modest and unpretentious. His favorite
military exercise is cavalry charge.
He Is devotedly attached to his mother, who
went on to see him graduate and who stopped
With him here few days visiting friends
rbev left Yesterday evening for Cleveland O.,
IN Saturday he called to pay his respects to
he president, but could pot be prevailed upon
20 wear his uniform Young Alexander cx-
oects to have a commission forwarded to him
rs second lieutenant in some of the colored
companies on the western frontier some time
iuaing July, and viii, in all probability, re-
)ort 'N9r duty In October. His place as the
,nly cofsred cadet will very likely be filed by
4 young *.,an from South Carolina, Eli Hen
ierson. sppa,2ted by ex-Congressman smalls.